All terrain vehicle trailer

Abstract

A trailer attachable to an all terrain vehicle (ATV) and being particularly suited for use in off-road environments. The trailer has a main frame assembly and two wheels each supported from an independent axle support assembly having a substantially open gap extending therebetween. Each axle support assembly includes a skid component slidably engagable with off-road obstacles. Extending under and outwardly from the main frame assembly is a hitch arm having an end portion couplable to the ATV. The hitch arm includes a skid portion also slidably engagably with off-road objects. Both passengers and cargo may be simultaneously transported from a container housing. This container housing is supported upon the main frame assembly and defines a rearwardly extending cavity for cargo and a seat for passengers. A front shield extends vertically from the main frame assembly and provides a protective safety wall between passengers and the ATV. This front shield includes a lip for deflecting debris propelled toward passengers and a handle for passenger support.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. Apparatus for transporting a passenger and cargo over terrain comprising: an all terrain vehicle having a pair of wheels spaced apart a width defining track, a support frame with a vertical ground clearance height, a rearwardly disposed towing tongue assembly and operable from an operating seat position located at a given elevation over said terrain to support an operator having an eye position line of sight; and   a trailer attached to said vehicle comprising: a main frame assembly extending between a forward and rearward portion;   a hitch arm forwardly extending from said main frame assembly forward portion to a position lower than said main frame assembly, said hitch arm being removably engaged with said all terrain vehicle towing tongue assembly;   a container housing supported upon said main frame assembly for carrying said cargo, said housing having three upstanding walls defining three sides of a cavity and a top portion; said top portion including a seat for supporting said passenger at a vertically disposed seat position located at an elevation higher than said given elevation of said vehicle operating seat position an extent effective to normally provide said passenger with an unobstructed view at a line-of-sight elevation higher than said vehicle operator when seated at said operating seat position;     first and second axle support assemblies respectively including first and second spaced apart rigid suspension supports extending downwardly a predetermined distance from said main frame assembly to support respective first and second axles and said first and second axle support assemblies being spaced apart a distance to define an open gap therebetween; and   first and second wheels of given radius each mounted for free rotation upon respective said first and second axles,   said first and second axle support assemblies and said wheels vertically positioning said main frame assembly at a vertical ground clearance height greater than said ground clearance height of said all terrain vehicle support frame.     
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which each said first and second axle support assembly further comprises a skid component extending from one of said suspension supports to said main frame assembly, said skid component being upwardly angularly disposed with respect to said one suspension support and having a forward contact portion extending beyond the radius of a corresponding said wheel. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said first and second wheels are spaced apart a distance corresponding with said width of said pair of all terrain vehicle wheels for following in said track. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which: said seat extends over a first portion of said top portion for supporting said passenger; and   including a lid assembly extending over a second portion of said top portion adjacent said seat providing an enclosure for said cavity.   
     
     
       5. Apparatus for transporting passengers and cargo over terrain comprising: an all terrain vehicle having a vertical ground clearance height and operable by an operator from an operating seat position located at a given elevation over said terrain and having a pair of rearward wheels with a spacing defining a track and a rearwardly disposed towing tongue assembly and adapted to be drivable over a said terrain having off road obstacles; and   a trailer attached to said vehicle comprising: a main frame assembly extending between a forward and rearward portion;   a hitch arm extending from said forward portion to said rearward portion for providing a skid member for slideable contact over said off road obstacles and removably coupled with said all terrain vehicle towing tongue assembly;   a container housing supported upon said main frame assembly having first and second oppositely disposed side walls each having a forward and rearward portion and a forward end wall defining three sides of a rearwardly extending cavity for carrying said cargo, and having a top portion including a lid assembly supported on and extending between each said side wall rearward portion for covering a first portion of said rearwardly extending cavity, and a seat extending from each said side wall forward portion over a second portion of said rearwardly extending cavity for supporting said passenger, said seat being at a vertically disposed seat position located at an elevation higher than said vehicle seat position given elevation an extent effective to normally provide said passenger with an unobstructed view at a line-of-sight elevation higher than said vehicle operator when seated at said operating seat position, and a seat extending from each said side wall forward portion over a second portion of said rearwardly extending cavity for supporting said passengers;   first and second axle support assemblies spaced apart and extending downwardly a predetermined distance from said main frame assembly to support respective first and second axles;   first and second wheels mounted for free rotation upon respective said first and second axles; and   said first and second axle support assemblies spacing said first and second wheels apart a distance corresponding with said vehicle wheels spacing.     
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which: each said first and second side wall has a forward end and a rearward end;   said container housing further comprises a tailgate extending between said side walls rearward end adjacent said main frame assembly rearward portion, moveable between a horizontal open position and a vertical closed position, and having two leveling attachments each connected to one of said side walls for securing said tailgate at said horizontal open position; and   said tailgate and said lid assembly each have a connector component alignable when said tailgate is in said vertical closed position for securing said tailgate and said lid assembly.   
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said lid assembly has a top surface portion formed of a sound absorbing material, and at least one connector for securing said cargo to said sound absorbing top surface portion. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 5 which further comprises: a front shield having a lower portion supported upon said main frame assembly forward portion, extending upwardly therefrom to an upper portion for providing a safety wall for said passengers during transportation of said trailer by said all terrain vehicle; and   a foot support assembly supported upon said main frame assembly between said container housing and said front shield for providing foot support for said passengers.   
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which: said front shield is slightly forwardly bowed to add rigidity thereto; and   said upper portion further includes a support bar graspable by said passengers for providing support.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 8 in which said front shield upper portion includes a forwardly extending debris deflection lip. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus for transporting passenger and cargo over terrain having off road obstacles comprising: a vehicle having a support frame with a vertical ground clearance height and a rearwardly disposed towing tongue assembly and operable from an operating seat position located at a given elevation over said terrain to support an operator with an eye position line of sight; and   a trailer attached to said vehicle comprising: a main frame assembly extending between a forward and rearward portion;   a hitch arm extending from said forward portion removably coupled with said all terrain vehicle towing tongue assembly;   a container housing supported upon said main frame assembly defining a rearwardly extending cavity for carrying said cargo, including: a bottom portion supported upon said main frame assembly for supporting said cargo,   first and second oppositely disposed side walls extending upwardly from said bottom portion each having a forward and rearward portion,   a forward end wall extending between said first and second side walls at said forward portion,   a lid extending between said side walls, over said rearwardly extending cavity and   a seat adjacent said lid positioned for supporting said passenger at a vertically disposed seat position located at an elevation higher than said given elevation of said vehicle operating seat position an extent effective to normally provide said passenger with an unobstructed view at an elevation higher than said vehicle operator line of sight;   first and second independent axle support assemblies each spaced apart to define an open gap therebetween and extending downwardly a predetermined distance from said main frame assembly; and   first and second wheels mounted for free rotation upon respective said first and second axle support assemblies.       
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 11 which said first and second axle support assemblies and said wheels vertically position said main frame assembly at a vertical ground clearance height greater than said ground clearance height of said vehicle support frame. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 11 in which said hitch arm extends from said main frame forward portion toward said rearward portion for providing a skid member positioned for slidable engagement with said off road obstacles. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 11 which further comprises: a front shield having a lower portion supported upon said main frame assembly forward portion, extending upwardly therefrom to an upper portion for providing a safety wall for said passengers during transportation of said trailer by said all terrain vehicle; and   a foot stand supported upon said main frame assembly between said side wall forward portion and said front shield lower portion for providing foot support for said passengers.